CountyScore

Calhoun County

Iowa · IA

#34 in Iowa
71.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Calhoun County, Iowa

Substantially above U.S. livability median

Calhoun County's composite score of 71.2 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 42%, demonstrating solid above-average livability by American standards. The profile is supported by exceptional housing affordability and moderate health outcomes.

Competitive with Iowa's best

Calhoun County's 71.2 score exceeds Iowa's average of 69.3, placing it in the upper half of Iowa counties. It ranks strongly for housing affordability, though economic opportunity trails some peer counties.

Housing affordability is exceptional

Calhoun County leads the eight-county sample with a cost score of 86.0, featuring the lowest median home value at $114,400 and lowest rent at $690/month. This makes it an outstanding choice for budget-conscious households seeking minimal housing costs.

Income and economic stability lag

The income score of 27.0 and risk score of 55.5 are among the weakest in this group, with a median household income of just $66,875 and economic volatility concerns. Limited job diversity may constrain household earning potential.

Best for ultra-budget households

Calhoun County is ideal for low-income families, retirees on fixed incomes, and anyone seeking rock-bottom housing costs in a stable rural setting. The extraordinary affordability (median home under $115,000) offsets concerns about income growth and economic risk.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax65.2Cost86SafetyComing SoonHealth77.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome27Risk55.5WaterComing Soon
🏛65.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡55.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Calhoun County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Alamosa County
Colorado
71.2
Median income: $51,445
Grand County
Colorado
71.2
Median income: $84,558
Bingham County
Idaho
71.2
Median income: $76,842
Hamilton County
Illinois
71.2
Median income: $61,520
Hancock County
Indiana
71.2
Median income: $91,326

Deep Dives

Calhoun County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Calhoun County

via TaxByCounty

Calhoun County well below national tax rates

Calhoun County's effective tax rate of 1.316% sits modestly below the national median, placing it in the favorable half of American tax jurisdictions. The median property tax of $1,506 annually is less than 56% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both lower rates and significantly cheaper homes than the national average.

Below-average Iowa taxes and lowest home values

Calhoun County ranks in the lower third of Iowa counties for effective tax rates at 1.316%, slightly below the state average of 1.344%. With a median home value of just $114,400 and median annual taxes of $1,506, Calhoun offers some of Iowa's most affordable homeownership costs.

Lowest taxes and home prices in the region

Calhoun's 1.316% effective rate is competitive with Cedar County (1.218%) and Cedar County (1.218%), while its median home value of $114,400 is the lowest in the surveyed area. Calhoun represents exceptional value for rural Iowa homebuyers.

Lowest median tax burden in the survey

A homeowner with Calhoun's median-valued $114,400 home pays approximately $1,506 annually in property taxes—$1,749 with a mortgage, $1,359 without. Monthly costs average just $126, making this one of Iowa's most affordable counties for property ownership.

Even modest savings add up in Calhoun

At lower assessed values, percentage-based overassessments have smaller dollar impacts, but filing an appeal remains worthwhile. Verify your assessment annually to ensure it reflects current market conditions and local sales data.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Calhoun County

via CostByCounty

Calhoun offers genuine rental bargains

Calhoun County's 12.4% rent-to-income ratio beats the national average and Iowa's 14.1% state norm, with rock-bottom monthly rents of just $690. This northwest Iowa county is one of the state's true affordability standouts for budget-conscious renters.

Calhoun ranks among Iowa's cheapest

At just $690 monthly rent—the lowest in this entire eight-county cluster—Calhoun County delivers exceptional value with a 12.4% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average. Few Iowa counties offer rents this low.

Calhoun's rents lead the northwest cluster

Calhoun's $690 rent undercuts every neighboring county—Butler ($780), Carroll ($722), and Buena Vista ($835)—by significant margins while maintaining competitive $66,875 income. The trade-off is rural character and fewer urban amenities, but the financial case is ironclad.

Lowest costs in the entire region

Both renters ($690) and owners ($669) enjoy the region's lowest housing costs, supported by $66,875 household income and a median home value of just $114,400. At 12.4% of income, Calhoun offers unmatched housing affordability.

Calhoun is Iowa's affordability champion

If housing costs drive your relocation decision, Calhoun County is hard to beat: the state's cheapest rent ($690), lowest home values ($114,400), and a 12.4% rent-to-income ratio that saves money monthly. It's genuine affordability for those prioritizing financial flexibility.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Calhoun County

via IncomeByCounty

Calhoun trails U.S. income median

Calhoun County's median household income of $66,875 lags the national median of $74,755 by about 11%. The county's rural, agriculture-focused economy generates lower average earnings than the nation overall.

Below Iowa's state average

At $66,875, Calhoun County falls roughly $2,950 short of Iowa's state median of $69,830. The county ranks in the lower third statewide, a position typical of small, grain-dependent agricultural regions.

Similar to other rural northwest counties

Calhoun ($66,875) mirrors Buena Vista ($66,564) closely, while trailing Carroll ($68,528) and Butler ($69,651) in the region. Cass County ($61,657) ranks lower, highlighting income variability across northwest Iowa.

Housing remains a bright spot

Calhoun's rent-to-income ratio of 12.4% is favorable, with renters spending just over one-tenth of income on housing. However, the median home value of just $114,400—lowest among the eight counties—reflects depressed rural property values and limited wealth accumulation through homeownership.

Focus on income growth opportunities

Calhoun's below-average income makes strategic career planning critical; residents should seek skill training in higher-wage fields or remote work opportunities. Affordable housing frees up cash flow for emergency savings and long-term retirement contributions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Calhoun County

via HealthByCounty

Calhoun matches Iowa's health trajectory

At 77.7 years, Calhoun County's life expectancy exactly equals Iowa's state average but trails the U.S. average of 78.9 years by 1.2 years. The county's 15.2% poor/fair health rate hovers close to the national 15.1%, suggesting typical Midwestern health profiles with room for improvement.

Right at Iowa's health average

Calhoun County's 77.7-year life expectancy matches the Iowa state average precisely, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. At 15.2% reporting poor/fair health, the county reflects state-level health challenges without significant advantage or disadvantage.

Outmatched on longevity by surrounding counties

Calhoun's 77.7-year life expectancy trails both Carroll County (77.9 years) and Bremer (79.7 years), positioning it as the weaker performer in its neighborhood. However, Calhoun's strong primary care capacity of 71 providers per 100,000 residents exceeds most neighbors, suggesting good infrastructure despite middling outcomes.

Insurance access adequate, mental health stretched thin

Calhoun's 5.6% uninsured rate nearly matches Iowa's 5.7% average, leaving most residents with coverage access to care. However, the county offers only 41 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—one of the lowest in the study—creating barriers for residents seeking behavioral health support.

Mental health resources matter in Calhoun County

While 94.4% of Calhoun residents have health insurance, the shortage of 41 mental health providers per 100,000 residents requires proactive care-seeking. If uninsured, Healthcare.gov and Iowa Medicaid connect you to coverage that covers mental health services—essential in a county facing capacity constraints.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Calhoun County

via RiskByCounty

Calhoun edges into above-average territory

With a composite risk score of 44.56, Calhoun County rates as Relatively Low—still safe by national standards but noticeably above the typical U.S. county. This marks a meaningful step up from Iowa's safest communities.

Iowa's riskier half takes hold

Calhoun's 44.56 score exceeds Iowa's state average of 39.68 by 12%, placing it firmly in the higher-risk segment of Iowa counties. The county ranks in the upper third for natural disaster exposure across the state.

Risk spike moving westward

Calhoun (44.56) represents a dramatic jump from eastern neighbors Bremer (24.55), Buchanan (24.05), and Butler (27.10). It sits below the dangerous western duo of Carroll (57.60) and Cass (60.05), and matches Cedar County's relative position eastward.

Tornadoes dwarf all other threats

Tornado risk of 73.63 dominates Calhoun's hazard profile—among the highest in Iowa. Earthquake risk (14.60), hurricane risk (14.69), wildfire risk (8.49), and flood risk (20.61) are all substantially lower by comparison.

Tornado safety planning is critical

Calhoun residents face one of Iowa's highest tornado risks and must develop a detailed household shelter plan before storm season. Ensure your insurance includes comprehensive wind and hail coverage, and practice tornado drills with your family annually.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.